Kai had driven her around the land closest to his cabin and then stopped at the lake. They were currently in the boathouse. He’d made them stop when her shivering got so bad she could barely hold on. Amelia had protested at first, but once he’d turned the heater on in the small space she’d felt amazing.

There was something about warming up with a blanket and a fire or heater in the cold. It was just perfect. Kai’s boathouse was super nice too. The attached room was like a small cabin – a real one, but brand new. There was a kitchen space, a couch that pulled out into a bed, and a fireplace.

The space heater was doing a good job while Kai gathered the firewood that was outside. Amelia squidged her toes in her socks and sighed happily. The window facing the lake covered the entire wall of the house and she could see everything, including the mountains.

She never would have thought she’d be one to fall for the mountain life, but Amelia could quickly get used to the fancy version of it. The views were breathtaking. And she couldn’t stop watching Kai. Every muscle was on display. He was warm enough he’d pushed up his sleeves as he gathered firewood and all he wore was his black thermal shirt.

Every once in a while, he would stop and stare out at the trees like he knew something was there, but then he’d go back to work. Amelia wondered what he sensed that she couldn’t, but he didn’t look worried about it. And if he wasn’t, then she shouldn’t be. He was the one who knew this place and the forest, not her.

There was so much about him that was beautiful. The long, black hair in a ponytail – though she’d never thought she’d be one for that. The broad shoulders and high cheekbones…Amelia could see the warrior heritage in him, and God, that skin of his. It was perfectly brown and flawless.

Kai stomped his boots and opened the door. A gust of freezing cold air made her shiver, but Amelia smiled at him when he came in. Kai grinned back and wordlessly started stacking the wood.

Amelia watched him expertly start the fire and then he turned to face her. There was a happiness in his face she’d never seen before – on anyone. It was like his soul was completely content and the way he looked at her made Amelia think it was because of her, but that was ridiculous. There was no such thing as instant-love.

“What are you thinking about?” she asked, pulling the blanket up further to her shoulders.

“How I should probably make you something warm to drink.” Kai knelt in front of the fire and the flames framed him.

In that moment he seemed utterly wild and Amelia could see that flash of something ‘more.’ She blinked and it was gone.

“Like what?”

Kai grinned and crawled across the floor so he could run his hands up her legs. It made Amelia shiver with anticipation, but he kept it PG to her dismay. “I’ve got a fabulous hot buttered rum recipe if you don’t mind waiting a few minutes.”

Amelia grinned. “That’s actually one of my favorite winter drinks, other than mulled wine.”

Kai nuzzled her knee and squeezed her thighs with what sounded like a happy sigh. “We can make mulled wine tomorrow for the barbecue if you like.”

The way he worded the sentence, it sounded like they were a married couple preparing to entertain together and Amelia froze as she examined how she felt about that. It seemed so serious, but maybe she was overthinking it? It wasn’t her house, and it wasn’t her barbecue. She was the guest intruding into Kai’s life.

Amelia tilted her head and studied his face. Kai was acutely aware of her and he seemed to pick up on her hesitation. He didn’t try to hide his face, and Kai didn’t shut down like he did when she asked about his eyes. Amelia decided to let it go, there was nothing about Kai that set off her warning instincts.

If he wanted to entertain with her, then that was his call. After all, it was his property.

“I can make my own recipe if you like,” Amelia finally said. “It’s about the only thing I can cook without ruining it. Well, that and baking.” Sweet confection she had a vested interest in not burning, everything else was better as takeout.

Kai stood and kissed her forehead. It was sweet, but Amelia wanted more. She watched as he prepped the rum, putting some water on to boil. They hadn’t had sex since that one-night stand, and Amelia couldn’t stop thinking about how he felt inside her and what it could be like now that she actually had feelings for him.

The blowjob had just been the tip of the iceberg. Amelia wanted Kai to take her the same way he had in her loft after the club. Maybe they could recreate that night one time for fun as foreplay. Amelia shook her head and looked out the window. Since when did she have such dirty thoughts all the time?

“You’re thinking something naughty again aren’t you?” Kai teased, pouring the water into cups already prepared with the buttered rum.

Amelia couldn’t help her nervous laugh. “You weren’t even looking at me that time, how do you always know?”

Kai grinned and brought two cups over. Once he was settled next to her under the blanket with an arm across her shoulders he rubbed his chin across the top of her head. “It’s my superpower.”

She growled and dug her elbow into his side. It sounded ridiculous but she had half a mind to believe him. No one else could ever tell how she felt unless she was blunt about it. ‘Resting bitch face’ is what they said she had, and Amelia had never really cared until recently. Kai somehow knew what she felt despite her usual tendency to hide her feelings.

“So why don’t you like to drive?” he asked again, pulling her closer into his side so she practically sat on his lap.

Amelia sipped her hot buttered rum and relished his warmth. He was like a furnace. “There were a few incidents, but David was driving once and we got into a really bad accident. Like, ambulances, fire engines, freeway closed down – the works. I was in the hospital for two weeks in a coma.” She shrugged. It sucked, but it could have been a million times worse. She could still walk.

“Would you care if I killed him?” Kai growled.

His voice sounded strange and Amelia looked up at him in surprise. “It may have been his fault for falling asleep, but I don’t know about killing him.”

“Well…if you change your mind let me know.”

Amelia snuggled closer into Kai and smiled. It was kind of adorable he was so protective. That Kai hated him so much made her feel like less of a crazy person for every thought she’d ever had about that relationship. Maybe she wasn’t necessarily the crazy one.

“Why are you so hot?” she asked. Kai literally felt hot to the touch. “Are you running a fever?” She felt his forehead, and it definitely felt feverish.

Kai’s eyes softened as he took her hand in his. “I just run hot is all, I’m perfectly healthy. No diseases, no STDs, and no strange genetic conditions.”

Her breath caught, his lips were inches away from hers. It may have been the rum, but Amelia was done playing. She wanted him. The rum went to the table and then she ran her hands up his chest, moving so that she straddled his lap, and wrapped her arms around his neck. “I have no STDs, I’m on the pill, and other than the occasional migraine I get from the accident I’m healthy, disease free, and only a little bit crazy.”

Kai’s eyes went silver when she settled against him. He put his drink down and never once broke her gaze. “You’re not crazy; you’re just a little weird.”

Amelia grinned and leaned forward. “I’m starting to believe you.” She brushed her lips against his gently. Kai’s hands tightened on her hips and he kissed her back.

The kiss made her heart beat faster and instantly she was wet and ready. She ground a little against him and his hard cock twitched in response. It was difficult to swallow the groan of pleasure as the electric spark hit her clit. She didn’t want to seem too desperate and needy.

“What are you doing?” Kai asked. The breathless tone only made her want him more.

“What does it look like I’m doing?” she asked. The husky words surprised her, but Amelia didn’t let it stop her. She ran her hands down his chest, enjoying each and every hard muscle.

Her fingers slid under his shirt and then pulled. In seconds he was shirtless, allowing her to feast on the sight of him. Every muscle was defined, his delicious brown skin was perfect. Even with the numerous scars she traced with a butterfly touch.

“Will you tell me about these tomorrow as well?” she asked, looking up into his glowing silver eyes.

Kai nodded. He didn’t even blink as he watched her trace each white line. There was one massive one about a centimeter wide that curved around his side to his back. Amelia scooted down to kiss the scar, reveling in the smell of him: clean pine, snow, and fire.

When her fingers went to undo the button on his jeans Kai growled and pulled her up. He nipped her bottom lip and Amelia couldn’t smother the groan of pleasure. “Woman, you are going to make me lose control.”

“Good,” she breathed. Amelia wanted Kai to take her right then and there.

His hands wrapped around her biceps and there was that strange look again as he studied her. “I don’t know if we should.” His words were strained, indicating how much he wanted her, but she had no idea why he kept holding back.

Amelia felt a little sting of hurt and pulled away. “Why, are you not interested in…that?” It felt like a lot of mixed signals and she was starting to feel confused. “I thought you were into me?”

Kai growled and pulled her back onto his hard dick, rubbing her against him and Amelia couldn’t help her gasp. It felt so good. “I want you badly, but I don’t want to rush things. First, I want you to trust me and know that I would never hurt you. That I am not David.”

It was strange for a man to be so insistent, but Kai’s fears were warranted.

“I know you’re not him, you couldn’t be more different,” she murmured. Running her hands over his chest and shoulders as she rocked against him, rolling her hips just enough. God, she couldn’t stop touching him.

“Do you trust me?” he asked, kissing her throat.

Amelia lifted her chin to give him better access and then peeled off all her sweaters in one go so that she was just in her red bra. Kai didn’t once look down. His eyes stayed on hers, but he ran his hands gently down her back and she arched into him on instinct. Amelia studied his face.

Oddly, she did. “I trust you, Kai. For whatever reason, I trust you with my life, and my heart.” She hadn’t meant to say the last part, but it was true. Kai wouldn’t hurt her.

Instantly his entire demeanor changed. Kai didn’t hold back anymore. He held her up and raked his teeth over the soft skin of her breasts. With one flick of his finger her bra was undone and he pulled it off before she even had a moment to breathe.

Amelia arched into him when he laved his tongue over her nipple. It felt amazing and sent a pulse straight to her clit. She didn’t want slow; she wanted him in her now. “Kai, please,” she murmured, clutching at him while he took his time. “I want you.”

He growled and flipped her over so she was on her back looking up. “You want me?” he asked, nibbling her ear and then kissing a trail down and between her breasts. “Are you trying to make me lose control, woman?”

“Yes,” she gasped. Kai trailed his finger just under the band of her leggings and her stomach muscles convulsed.

He grinned and stripped off her jeans and then slowly rolled down her leggings. “You’re so fucking beautiful,” he said, taking all of her in.

Amelia couldn’t help but wiggle underneath him. She felt exposed and needy. His pants were still on and his hard length tented the material, making her mouth water. Kai’s eyes shone and the entire atmosphere of the cabin, the snow, and the crackling fire made her feel electrified and it was romantic. Everything she could have ever wanted.

Kai held her down and took her panties in his teeth. Slowly he dragged them down and off of her. Then he kissed his way up her leg, nibbling on the inside of her thighs. Amelia clutched the blankets and bucked her hips when she felt his lips against her wet center.

God, she could barely think. His hot, wet tongue licked her and she lost her damn mind. Amelia moaned, as her hips rose up to meet his mouth. One strong arm went under her, holding her up and kneading her ass. Kai then slipped a finger inside her with his other hand and she nearly screamed when he simultaneously sucked on her.

“Please,” she said, eyes rolling into the back of her head. She was going to come soon, but she wanted to feel him. “Kai, I want all of you.”

He hummed against her, pleased with himself when she shuddered. A second finger stretched her and Amelia trembled. “Oh, you’ll have all of me, baby. But I want to make sure you come first.”

Those words made her lose all sense of self and control. His hot, silky mouth licked with such skill she came almost immediately, bowing off the sofa bed and screaming his name. She was a trembling, pulsing mess with his last kiss and still his fingers stroked in and out, slowly so she didn’t black out from the pleasure.

Then Kai stripped his pants off and he was completely naked before her. The blue light from the sun on the snow and the firelight made his skin glow. He was so big and strong. Amelia wanted to be surrounded by him. She reached for Kai and he settled over her, his cock cradled between her thighs, rubbing against her still pulsing pussy.

“I’ve never wanted anyone more than I want you,” he murmured, holding her gaze. “Amelia, you are everything to me.”

Tears pricked her eyes. No one had ever said anything like that to her before. Some part of her deep down had always wanted to be the center of someone’s universe. She wanted that love so badly, but never thought it could be hers. Amelia reached down and set the head of his massive cock right at her entrance.

She wanted him inside her, but she also wanted him to be the one to take her. She lifted her hips just a fraction and Kai groaned. “You’re going to kill me,” he said, slowly pushing in.

Amelia’s eyes rolled into the back of her head at the sensation of him stretching her. She was so ready for him. Kai stopped halfway in and she looked back up at him. He was looking at her, studying her face, and Amelia blushed. It was extremely intimate. He stared right into her eyes and thrust the rest of the way in.

“Oh God,” she whispered, clutching onto his shoulders. Kai covered her completely, propping himself up on his arms so he could hold her gaze while he stroked in and out slowly.

Her heart swelled and Amelia wanted nothing more than this man for the rest of her life. It was too soon for love, every rational part of her brain knew that, but she couldn’t deny the feelings.

It scared her.

Kai pulled out and all thoughts scattered from her mind when he thrust back in. Her sensitive nerve endings exploded, all Amelia could do was hold on while he thrust into her. The sensation of him at full hilt made her clench around his cock and she couldn’t get enough.

“Harder,” she moaned, wrapping her arms around his neck. Amelia couldn’t get close enough to him.

Kai panted and sped up, pounding into her and Amelia screamed as another orgasm ripped through her. She dug her nails into his back when she felt him get rock hard right before he came. Kai roared, pressing into her hard and she could feel the hot jets of his cum. Amelia shuddered at the sensation, her pussy clenching around him mercilessly.

“Amelia,” he murmured, brushing her hair back from her face. “Amelia.”

The sweet adoration had her holding onto him for dear life. She could feel the tears and she hid her face in his shoulder. Amelia didn’t want him to see her cry, because she wasn’t sad or regretting what they did. She’d loved every minute of it, but she was just so damn emotional. There was a part of her that had claimed him as hers, and demanded she tell him her true feelings.

But she wasn’t ready. What if he didn’t feel the same way?

“Are you okay?” Kai asked, kissing the tears from her face.

Amelia nodded, keeping her eyes shut and covering her face with her hands. Somehow he always knew. She nodded again, feeling like a total idiot. Whatever this was between them was too much and she could hardly understand how to process it. It felt as though her heart were inexplicably tied to his forever.

“Talk to me,” he murmured, rolling onto his back and taking her with him. When she lay on top of him he tucked the blanket around them and stroked her back soothingly.

Kai didn’t try to pull her hands away from her face. He gave her the time she needed to get her shit together. Amelia wiped her eyes and shrugged a little. It wasn’t easy to explain without saying those three damning words.

“I’ve never felt this way about anyone before,” she confessed.

Kai’s arms tightened around her and he just held her close. Amelia felt their connection grow stronger as she lay with him. She could stay like this all day. Some part of her had known this would happen, but for whatever reason she wasn’t regretting it, even if she was afraid.

“I’ve never felt this way about anyone before either,” Kai murmured into her hair.

Those words settled in her soul and Amelia snuggled closer. At least she wasn’t alone in her feelings.